EIRSAT-1 Space Art Challenge

The EIRSAT-1 Team in UCD and JCSP Libraries have come together to create the Space Art Challenge. This exciting new space-themed art competition is open to students in JCSP schools across Ireland

Free video tutorials with artists Helen Robinson, Jessica Erkal, Aidan Courtney, Emer O Boyle and Alan Nolan will be posted weekly on the JCSP Libraries YouTube Channel HERE – commencing on the week of February 22^nd 2021. Each artist will demonstrate their own artistic style, following specific space-themed prompts and they will also share tips to support students to develop their own artistic knowledge and skills. 

The challenge requires imaginative thought and can be enjoyed by students in all year groups. The aim is to support young people to develop their artistic practice, creativity, originality and self-expression through exploration of the wonders of the universe.

Ready to join the challenge?

• First, introduce your students to the challenge by sharing links to the poster and promotional video.
• With your class, watch or share the artists’ video tutorials. These will be released weekly from February 22^nd to March 22^nd 2021. Once released, the videos will remain open on our YouTube Channel throughout the Challenge and can be watched at any time.
• Follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts for regular updates and artists tips.
• Encourage your students to sketch, draw or paint their own space-themed pieces. They are free to use the artists’ prompts or their own ideas for inspiration. All entries must be space-themed.
• During remote learning, where students are not in school, you are welcome to adapt the challenge to fit your needs, inviting students to watch the videos, and sharing the resources with them. You may wish to ask them to take the Space Art Challenge as part of their home learning.
• We would encourage schools to share and celebrate samples of students’ work via the school website, social media channels, etc. throughout the weeks of the Challenge – using the hashtags #SpaceArtChallenge #EIRSAT1 #jcspLibraries
• The closing date for entries is 23^rd April 2021 – so lots of time for students to develop and refine their work.
• The competition is open to Junior and Senior Cycle students in all JCSP schools.
• All entries must be submitted via the school and using the official entry form. Students should not submit entries directly.

While students in all schools are free to access the videos and are encouraged to produce art work based on the prompts, the competition itself is restricted to students in JCSP schools.

How to enter

Take a photo or make a scan of all of your student entries and send them to info@jcsplibraries.ie along with a copy of the entry form detailing your school and participating students details.

The closing date for entries is 23^rd April.

Winner selection and prizes

Winners, Runners Up and Highly Commended will be selected in the following 3 categories:

• Category A: Junior Cycle
• Category B: Senior Cycle
• Category C: Special Needs

Great range of prizes including Telescopes, Star Projectors, Space Lego, EIRSAT-1 Merchandise, Books, Art Materials and more

Meet the Artists

What is EIRSAT-1?

EIRSAT-1 is the Educational Irish Research Satellite 1. A team of academic staff and students in University College Dublin are designing, building and will operate Ireland’s first satellite. It is a 2U CubeSat being developed as part of the European Space Agency’s Fly Your Satellite Programme.

The EIRSAT-1 project is carried out with the support of the Education Office of the European Space Agency under the educational Fly Your Satellite! programme

See below presentation on EIRSAT-1 outreach activities at Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2021